The Professionals Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Four highly skilled mercenaries are hired to rescue a kidnapped wife, but it turns out she was just on vacation with her boyfriend, so they awkwardly return her.

🍿 The Professionals: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Contract

In 1917, wealthy Texan J.W. Grant hires four men, each an expert in their respective field, to rescue his kidnapped wife, Maria, from Jesus Raza, a former revolutionary-turned-bandit in Mexico. The team consists of Rico Fardan, a weapons specialist; Bill Dolworth, an explosives expert; Hans Ehrengard, a horse wrangler; and Jake Sharp, an Apache scout.

Journey into Mexico

The professionals venture into Mexico, facing several challenges along the way, including skirmishes with bandits and the harsh desert landscape. They encounter evidence suggesting the kidnapping might not be as straightforward as they were led to believe, creating internal conflict and moral dilemmas.

The Truth Revealed

Upon reaching Raza’s camp, the team discovers that Maria was not kidnapped but willingly left Grant to be with Raza, whom she loves. The professionals are conflicted, bound by their contract to return Maria to Grant, regardless of her wishes.

Conflict and Capture

Despite their discovery, the professionals proceed with their mission to retrieve Maria. This leads to a confrontation with Raza’s men and a tense escape. Maria, however, doesn’t want to leave and tries to escape, further complicating the situation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Fardan (Lee Marvin): A weapons specialist and experienced leader, Fardan leads the team hired to rescue Grant’s wife, grappling with his past and professional code.
• Dolworth (Burt Lancaster): An explosives expert with a roguish charm, Dolworth’s cynicism is tested as he rediscovers his sense of decency during the mission.
• Raza (Jack Palance): A former revolutionary leader and now a notorious bandit, Raza holds Maria captive and is confronted by his former comrades.
• Maria (Claudia Cardinale): The ‘kidnapped’ wife of Grant, Maria is actually in love with Raza and willingly with him.
• Grant (Ralph Bellamy): The wealthy and arrogant Texan millionaire who hires the professionals, seeking to control his wife’s fate.
• Ehrengard (Robert Ryan): The compassionate horse wrangler for the professionals is moral and displays remorse.
• Jake (Woody Strode): The skilled tracker for the professionals with expertise in archery.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dolworth: “Dynamite, not faith, will move that mountain into that pass. Peace, brother.” – Dolworth explains his plan to use dynamite to create a roadblock.
• Rico: “Your hair was darker then.” – Sarcastically responding to Dolworth on their reunion.
• Rico: “Most of us are.” – When Dolworth says ‘Well, I’ll be damned.’
• Dolworth: “What makes a woman worth one hundred thousand dollars?” – When they are told how much the ransom is for Grant’s kidnapped wife.
• Rico: “You bastard.” – Grant says this to Rico, to which Rico replies ‘Yes, sir. In my case an accident of birth. But you, sir, you’re a self-made man.’

💰Box Office

• Budget: None
• Domestic Gross: $19,537,346
• Worldwide Gross: None

💥 The Professionals Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘The Professionals’! The way the movie flips the script on who the real ‘bad guys’ are kept me on the edge of my seat. The dynamic between Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster was incredible, and the action scenes were top-notch. Woody Strode’s stoic presence and Robert Ryan’s quiet compassion really added depth. Definitely a must-see for any Western fan! I especially enjoyed the moral ambiguity. When they finally decide to return Maria and Raza back together, it really made me think. I had to wonder if they did the right thing. It’s one of those movies that stays with you long after the credits roll.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic Westerns”
  • “Viewers interested in morally ambiguous characters”
  • “Those who appreciate action-packed adventure films”
  • “Fans of Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Gunfights”
  • “Explosions”
  • “Brief Nudity”
  • “Mature Themes”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “A rousing Western with a stellar cast and breathtaking cinematography. The Professionals delivers action and adventure with a touch of moral ambiguity, making it a truly memorable experience. Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster are at their finest.
• Variety: “Richard Brooks’ ‘The Professionals’ is a rip-roaring Western adventure set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution. With strong performances from the ensemble cast and plenty of action sequences, the film has some great cinematography but the plot feels uninspired.
• Los Angeles Times: “‘The Professionals’ is an action-packed Western that features a band of mercenaries setting out to rescue a kidnapped wife from a Mexican revolutionary. Richard Brooks creates an engaging narrative but doesn’t give enough depth to the characters.

Audience Reactions

The action sequences were intense and brilliantly choreographed.: Viewers praised the movie for its sharp dialogue, complex characters, and stunning visuals.

Lee Marvin and Burt Lancaster’s chemistry was captivating and added depth to the story.: Fans appreciated the moral complexity and unpredictable plot twists that challenged typical Western tropes.

Overall Consensus: A classic Western admired for its strong performances, engaging action, and thought-provoking themes, though some find the plot slightly predictable.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Richard Brooks received Academy Award nominations for both Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.”
• “Conrad Hall’s cinematography, particularly his use of color and the desert landscape, earned him an Academy Award nomination.”
• “During filming of the scene where Maria attempts to escape through a canyon wired with dynamite, Claudia Cardinale’s stunt double was badly injured during the explosion. Cardinale, who had never ridden a horse before, performed the stunt herself for the final cut, and escaped uninjured.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Professionals?

The Professionals (1966) can be found for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for potential broadcast options on cable or satellite channels.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Professionals, you might like these similar films:

• The Magnificent Seven (1960): Similar theme of a group of skilled mercenaries hired to protect a village from bandits, with a focus on action and camaraderie.
• The Wild Bunch (1969): Shares a gritty, revisionist view of the West, with a focus on moral ambiguity and the changing times for outlaws.
• The Dirty Dozen (1967): A group of hardened criminals are sent on a dangerous mission, highlighting the themes of expendability and moral compromise.
• Three Kings (1999): Modern take on the mercenary theme set during the Gulf War, with a similar blend of action, social commentary, and unexpected moral choices.
• A Fistful of Dollars (1964): Iconic spaghetti western with a morally ambiguous protagonist and a similar setting on the US-Mexican border.

🛒 The Professionals Related Products

• The Professionals (Blu-ray): High-definition restoration of the classic Western, with bonus features including behind-the-scenes footage and commentary. Experience the film like never before with enhanced visual and audio quality.
• The Professionals: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Vinyl): Limited edition vinyl pressing of Maurice Jarre’s iconic score. Hear the sweeping melodies and driving rhythms that perfectly capture the film’s atmosphere. A must-have for collectors and audiophiles.
• Western Movie Poster – The Professionals (24×36): High-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. Decorate your space with this iconic image of the film’s stars and capture the spirit of the Wild West.
• The Professionals T-Shirt: Show your love for the classic Western with this stylish t-shirt. Featuring a design inspired by the film’s iconic imagery, this t-shirt is perfect for casual wear and expressing your fandom.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Professionals features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Proposition For The Professionals – Main Title” – performed by Orchestra Maurice Jarre

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Why the director of “THE PROFESSIONALS” thought that BURT LANCASTER might HURT LEE MARVIN on set!

Ever wonder if on-screen chemistry is real? This video dives into a reported feud between Burt Lancaster and Lee Marvin during “The Professionals”! Turns out, things might have gotten a little heated…definitely makes you see their performances in a new light.

✨ Rate